Arts Note: Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ at UNLV Sunday

Friday, Jan. 20, 2006 | 8:21 a.m.

Kristen Peterson

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Nevada Opera Theatre will present Puccini's "Tosca" at 2 p.m. Sunday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

Russian-born soprano Viktoria Kurbatskaya, whose past roles include Leonora in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" presented by New Jersey State Opera, will perform Floria Tosca.

Dinyar Vania of Syracuse, N.Y., will perform the role of her lover, Mario Cavaradossi.

The three-part opera will be presented in Italian with a 25-member chorus. Frank Fetta will conduct the Nevada Opera Theatre Orchestra, composed of local musicians.

Nevada Opera Theatre presented "La Traviata" and "Gigi" at Paris Las Vegas in 2002, and "Die Fledermaus" in July.

After a few seasons when the opera group had to cancel some shows, General Director Eileen Hayes said, the company is regrouping and planning full seasons that include two or three full operas in addition to its smaller performances.

Regarding "Tosca," Hayes said, "It's costumes, it's backdrops, it's heavy furniture. It's the real deal."

Tickets for "Tosca" are $20, $30, $40 and $50. There will be a preperformance lecture at 1:20 p.m. in the lobby. Call 895-2787.

Kristen Peterson can be reached at 259-2317 or at kristen@lasvegassun.com.